play

Tweet On a typical morning during the week I usually try to have my kids take a morning snack and play break at about 10:30 am. I’ll admit there are days when I don’t get them out on time but its not my fault, partially its because we are tying up last minute loose ends […]

Tweet Picture this scene: you’ve cooked dinner, and you’ve poured your love into it. You make the announcement that it’s time to eat, yet no one arrives to the dinner table eager to taste this scrumptious meal that you have just whipped up. So you try again, this time you yell out, “Dinner is ready!” […]

Tweet Day in and day out it was the same story. I just couldn’t figure out what the problem was. Sierra, couldn’t stand Nahzina. The dislike was so strong, Sierra would complain about Nahzina breathing. If Nahzina looked at Sierra, Sierra would say, “Ms. Queenie, she’s looking at me! Tell her to stop.” I’d watch […]

Tweet This weekend was a weekend of celebrations! On Saturday, as Patrick, Queenie, Megan, and Edmund (our amazingly talented illustrator) gathered around my dining room table, you would not believe how big our smiles were. After months of hard work, our e-book has finally been completed! Megan had it printed out, and there was much laughter […]

Tweet “The very brain circuits that are activated during play are also activated during joyous, happy moments in our lives, and the more you exercise a brain circuit, the stronger it gets. So letting kids have a good time in play is one of the healthiest things you can do for them.” -Daniel Goldman, Ph.D. […]

Tweet When I was growing up, mom had this book called “Let’s Make a Memory!” Looking back on it, it’s hard to tell why we didn’t love that book. It was filled with different activities that were authentic, engaging, and developmentally appropriate. But I can distinctly remember when we heard mom call out, “Guys! Let’s […]

Tweet “In too many modern playrooms, technology makes things appear, disappear, speak and move. There is no effort or creativity, no demand for practice or mastery. All the hard work is done by adults, who often spend years programming their techno-toys. Gilbert’s toys encouraged boys to perform for parents and friends. Today, toys are the […]

Tweet I know you might be thinking, “Ah! The school year’s approaching! Time to brush up on Math Facts and Spelling!” At Tandem Teaching, we definitely believe there’s a place for that. But we’re also begging you to take these last few, carefree days, and use them very wisely. It might be the last opportunity […]

Tweet Next time you’re sitting on the playground, take a minute to watch your child swing. There is a lot going on behind the seemingly simple movement. Swinging requires a precise coordination between the mind and body. Even more important it requires balance. Theses exact skills learned on the playground are needed in the classroom. […]